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Chimney & Fireplaces/Capping strange venting through mantel

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Expert: - 3/11/2009


Question
Our fireplace was built for the previous homeowner, who insisted that the brick hearth (approx 60" x 24" by 12" high) be built on top of the wall-to-wall carpeting (crazy, yes I know). There is built-in venting - a switch on the right side of the surround controls a fan that draws in air through vents on the end panels of the hearth. Whether the fan is on or off, heated air escapes vertically through the slate mantel through 6" square holes that are not centered on the fireplace or equidistant from the ends of the mantel. They used to be capped by a floor register cut in half, with one half over each vent, such that one vented toward the room and the other vented toward the wall. We removed these and at the moment the hole is covered by a 6" ceramic tile that still allows warm air to escape. Can we disable/plug these vents so it is possible to arrange stuff on the mantel? I asked at a local fireplace store and they said the entire fireplace would need to be rebuilt from scratch. I'd appreciate your opinion - thanks - I was looking for a way to remove spilled wax from the brick hearth (candle too close to the vent) and found your reply.

Answer
Hi Carwen,

I would agree that this fireplace will likely need to be completely rebuilt.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice 316-265-9828
Fax 316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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